Kapil Dev slams Rohit, Virat and Rahul for flopping in must-win T20 matches

Kapil Dev slams Rohit, Virat and Rahul for flopping in must-win T20 matches: Former Indian skipper, Kapil Dev has slammed team India’s top three batters – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul – for not coming good at crucial moments in the T20 cricket. Dev didn’t mince his words as he hit out at the three most reputed current Indian batters to play with clarity in mind.

Notably, Indian all format skipper Rohit Sharma had a forgettable outing in the recently finished Tata IPL 2022 and so does former skipper Virat Kohli. While Sharma only managed to score 268 runs, Kohli amassed 341 runs in 16 innings. Meanwhile, KL Rahul continued his scintillating touch in the IPL. The LSG skipper scored 616 runs from 15 matches and remained at number two in the orange cap table.

Kapil Dev slams Rohit, Virat and Rahul

Talking about the performances of India’s first-choice top three in the shortest format, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain said that the above-mentioned players need to play a fearless brand of cricket.

“They have a big reputation and there’s huge pressure on them, which shouldn’t be the case. You have to play fearless cricket. All of these are players who can hit at a strike rate of 150-160. Whenever we need them to score runs, they all get out. When it is time to take off (in the innings), they are out. And that adds to pressure. Either you play an anchor or you play striker,” Kapil Dev said on the YouTube channel Uncut.

Dev, 63, further talked about the role of KL Rahul in the side. He asserted that a player can’t return with a score of unbeaten 60 after playing all 20 overs.

“When you talk about KL Rahul, if the team tells him to play the entire 20 overs and you come back with a score of, say 60 not out, you’re not doing justice to your team,” said Kapil.

“I think the approach needs to change. And if it doesn’t, you have to change the players. A big player is expected to make a big impact. Having a big reputation is not enough, you also have to deliver great performances.”

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India vs South Africa T20Is:

Meanwhile, team India will return to action once again on June 9 as the Men in Blue host their South African counterparts for the five matches T20I series. The shortest format series will kickstart on June 9 in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. 

Notably, the senior players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami have been rested for the series. In Rohit’s absence, KL Rahul will have the commanding role. Glovesman Rishabh Pant will be Rahul’s deputy for the series.

Down below is the complete schedule for the South Africa tour of India.

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